The 2026 NRL season is set to kick-off on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, with 16 teams out to chase the Brisbane Broncos in the new campaign.
Every club will see key reasons why they can and can't perform in 2026, and Zero Tackle have pulled the key one on each side of the coin.
Parramatta Eels
Why they can: Mitchell Moses' influence
The Parramatta Eels look poised to make a strong push up the ladder this season.
Mitchell Moses remains one of the best halfbacks in the game, providing direction, creativity, and composure in crucial moments.
Coach Ryles has shown his vision to be reliable, with the team finishing last season strongly, demonstrating they can maintain form when it counts.
If the Eels can build on that momentum and gel quickly, they have the talent and strategy to challenge for a premiership.
Why they can't: New combinations and a rebuild
New combinations in the spine bring uncertainty, and the team's structure is heavily reliant on Moses; his absence could see their attack dramatically weaken.
Additionally, 2026 is still considered a rebuilding year, and as seen with other clubs like the Bulldogs, trying to fast-track this process can backfire, leading to inconsistency and costly mistakes in high-pressure matches.
Objective: To say in one article what everyone else says, and to say what everyone else does _not_ say.
Who said that ? Was it Nietzsche ?
Well, whoever it was, he’d be proud to have written this one, Scott.